Pubdate: Tue, 07 Dec 1999
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 1999 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190
Fax: (408) 271-3792
Website: http://www.sjmercury.com/

OFFICER SHOOTS MAN WHO TRIED TO RUN OVER HIM

OAKLAND -- An Oakland police officer shot and killed a 36-year-old man who
had been stopped for a possible drug violation and then tried to run over
the officer with his car, authorities said Monday.

Homicide Lt. Paul Berlin said Nathan Hornes of Oakland was stopped by a
patrol unit in East Oakland about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of
92nd Avenue, where he had allegedly been dealing drugs. Police said the
officer was beginning to question Hornes through the driver's window when
Hornes turned his wheel to the left and accelerated toward the officer.

The officer took several steps back but Hornes continued to force him back,
police said. Fearing for his safety, the officer took out his gun and fired
one shot, fatally striking Hornes in the chest. Officer George Phillips said
the impact of the shot caused Hornes to pitch his car to the right and hit a
parked car before stopping.

A gun and unspecified amounts of both cocaine and marijuana were found in
Hornes' vehicle, police said.

Phillips said an internal investigation is under way. When that is
completed, the information will be forwarded to the Alameda County District
Attorney's Office, which will conduct its own investigation of the shooting.
However, Phillips said there is nothing to indicate the officer's actions
were unjustified.

The officer, whose name is not being released by the Oakland Police
Department, has been placed on standard three-day leave.
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